This sweet face belongs to the one and only, Verna MacLean! Maybe you've caught one of her yoga classes around town, but did you also know that Verna is the hands and heart behind Macrame by Verna? Her work is absolutely beautiful, and we would know, we have so many gorgeous wall hangings fluttering around the shop right now (come check them out)!
Verna is a boisterously lovely, out going spirit; she's one of our favorites! So, in true Maker Monday fashion, we dove in with her to help you get to know her a little better. We're sure she'll end up being one of your favorites, too.
Verna was born and raised on Cape Breton Island, spending most of her life living in Westmount. After high school, she left for a few years to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. She moved back home to settle on this beautiful island that she always called home. She is getting married this summer to a wonderful man, she is a mom to a dog and cat and LOVES to practice and teach yoga!
Check out her Q and A below:
How did you get into Macrame?
In 2018 I decided that I was going to take action to change all the things in my life that I wanted to change. Part of this was the decor in my house! Like most people who are re-decorating, I opened up my Pinterest app and starting to scroll for ideas. Scrolling through Pinterest is where I first came across macramé art. I thought it was so beautiful and knew it would fit perfectly with my style and ideas for my house. When I was young I was really into making friendship bracelets, as I looked closer I noticed the knots were very similar so I decided I could make myself something! Turns out, I am pretty good at it! I decided to start an Instagram account and the rest in history!
What does your creative process look like?
I am still a beginner! I like to try something new every time I sit down to make a project (unless it’s a custom order). I find a new knot or technique, make a plan then give it a try. I still make mistakes and have to undo knots all the time but I am enjoying the learning process and I am proud of the progress I am already seeing in my creations!
What is your favourite place to work?
I like to work at home on my couch while I hang with my fiancé and my dog and cat! I usually bring projects with me wherever I go. I like to camp and spend time in nature so I bring some cord and create while I am out in the wild.
What Inspires you?
I am inspired by people who do what they love and be who they are with no exceptions.
What does creating something with your hands mean to you?
My mother was a talented crocheter. She passed away when I was 4 years old and I still have some of her projects, I was always so in awe of her talent. My favourite part of crafting is the assumption that she passed this talent on to me and that she would be proud.
What is your biggest challenge? What is your biggest success?
My biggest challenge is being confident in my work. I am still relatively new to this craft and there is always a critical voice in my head that makes me doubt myself. My biggest success is finding the courage to tell that voice to f*#& off and to create and share anyway.
Where will this creative endeavor take you?
I hope I will be able to keep creating, sharing and learning. I am so excited to watch my creations evolve and to see where Macrame by Verna can take me.
We can't wait to see where Verna's Macrame takes her in the future! In the meantime, swing by the shop (or Trinity's Florals) and check out her work in person, or surf over to our Home + Body Collection